NC2/NC3 vs ND1

I used to have a nc1, and have been itching to get back into a Miata.

I initially wanted to get a nc2 or 3; but I've been having a really difficult time finding any decent ones at a reasonable price. After a months of refreshing marketplace nothing particularly good has come up; all automatic or thrashed. Comparatively there seems to be an absolute trove of 2016-2017 nd1's in the my area at around the same price mark.

My budgets around 15k USD.

I don't track but I do enjoy some "very" spirited driving in the mountains.

I'm mostly concerned about the nd-1 transmission issues; and with so many out there for sale it makes me suspect. What would y'all recommend?